Twenty-eight Larks enjoyed sunshine and lots of breeze at Rock over the Recent Spring Bank Holiday.

Racing was cancelled on Saturday due to 25 knot plus breezes. On Sunday, two races were sailed in the harbour over a triangle/sausage course in a building south-westerly breeze. Dougal Scott and Ruth Johnson led at the first mark and extended their lead to the end. Richard Dowsett and Steph Calvin chased but a capsise allowed Jon Fish and Edd McArdle through to second, with Chris and Rachael Jenkins in third.

Mark Ampleford and Lee Nankervis were pathfinders for race two, and they led at the first mark. Ampleford capsized, allowing Fish/McArdle through to take the lead, which they held to the end. Scott/Johnson climbed to second, overtaking Dowsett/Calvin by holding their kite on a very windy run. Nigel Hufton and Edd McArdle sailed fast to finish third.

Sunday’s violent gusts, shallow water and strong tides put paid to six masts, two booms and a rudder, ending the weekend for a number of unfortunate crews.

Monday delivered bright sunshine, a Force 3-4, and a superb short course. In race three, Hufton/Whitehouse and Alan Krailing and Tegwyn Roberts fought for the lead in a really tight race. Hufton/Whitehouse popped ahead on the last beat to take the gun, with Krailing/Roberts second and Geoff Sinton and Fiona Grey third.

Scott/Johnson were pathfinders in race four, and a port-favoured beat handed them the first beat on a plate. They kept their lead, with Dowsett/Calvin chasing. However, a well-read shift on the penultimate beat put Hufton/Whitehouse in second by the end, with Dowsett/Cavlin in third.

By the final race the ebb was really building. Ampleford/Nankervis, pathfinders for the second time, powered ahead and kept their lead. The battle for second was between Chris Ellis and Nikki Attwood and Fish/McArdle, eventually finishing in that order.

Overall Results

1st Dougal Scott and Ruth Johnson

2nd Nigel Hufton and Chris Whitehouse

3rd Jon Fish and Edd McArdle

4th Mark Ampleford and Lee Nankervis

5th Chris and Rachael Jenkins

6th Richard Dowsett and Steph Calvin